Has Your STNA Certification Expired?
Posted on October, 03, 2011 by admin
IT IS RELATIVELY EASY GETTING RECERTIFIED
So you have found yourself in a situation where your State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) certification has lapsed or is no longer valid. Do not despair! Rise up, dust yourself off, and read on to take the necessary steps in obtaining re-certification in the State of Ohio and being listed in the Ohio Department of Health’s registry of eligible nursing assistants.
The Ohio Department of Health requires all individuals, who are no longer listed in the registry due to suspension or lapse of certification, to retrain and retest. The first step is to enroll in a State accredited STNA program, such as that which is offered at Premier Choice Health Services (PCHS). PCHS offers courses covering basic nursing, safety, CPR, communication and mental health.
Once you have completed the retraining, the next step is to submit a completed STNA Application. It is important to note that the Application requires proof that you are currently enrolled in a qualified training course. If you have completed your retraining with the previous 24 months of submitting the Application, a copy of your program certification will need to be attached to the Application.
The last step in the process is taking and passing the test. In Ohio, the tests are administered through D&S Diversified Technologies. D&S has testing sites through the state. When you are ready to take the test, you can check the D&S website for testing times and locations. After you take and pass the test, the rest is a breeze!
It is important that once you pass the state test, you verify your inclusion on the Department of Health’s registry at: http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhprograms/io/nurseaide/nurseaide1.aspx. If you are currently employed at a long-term care facility or hospital, your supervisor or Human Resources Department can easily verify your inclusion on the registry, as well.
It may seem that the State of Ohio has rigid requirements when it comes to the certification of STNA’s, but there is a good reason for this. One thing to consider is the State’s guidelines are established to protect the integrity of Ohio STNA certifications. Once you obtain your re-certification, you can be proud that you earned it each step of the way! PCH is just a click or phone call away to assist you in doing just that!
Posted in
